3.
The Discourse on Tears
126.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī, etc.
"This wandering in the round of rebirths, monks, is without discernible beginning.
A first point is not discerned of beings hindered by ignorance, fettered by craving, transmigrating and wandering in the round of rebirths.
What do you think, monks, which is more, the tears that have flowed and trickled down while you were transmigrating and wandering in the round of rebirths during this long period of time, crying aloud and weeping due to association with the disagreeable and separation from the agreeable, or the water in the four great oceans?"
"As we understand the Teaching expounded by the Blessed One, venerable sir, this indeed is more, venerable sir, the tears that have flowed and trickled down while we were transmigrating and wandering in the round of rebirths during this long period of time, crying aloud and weeping due to association with the disagreeable and separation from the agreeable, not the water in the four great oceans."
"Good, good, monks, good indeed that you, monks, understand the Teaching expounded by me thus. This indeed, monks, is more, the tears that have flowed and trickled down while you were transmigrating and wandering in the round of rebirths during this long period of time, crying aloud and weeping due to association with the disagreeable and separation from the agreeable, not the water in the four great oceans. For a long time, monks, the death of a mother has been experienced by you; while experiencing the death of a mother, the tears that have flowed and trickled down while crying aloud and weeping due to association with the disagreeable and separation from the agreeable, not the water in the four great oceans. For a long time, monks, the death of a father has been experienced by you, etc. the death of a brother has been experienced... the death of a sister has been experienced... the death of a son has been experienced... the death of a daughter has been experienced... disaster regarding relatives has been experienced... disaster regarding wealth has been experienced. For a long time, monks, disaster regarding illness has been experienced by you; while experiencing disaster regarding illness, the tears that have flowed and trickled down while crying aloud and weeping due to association with the disagreeable and separation from the agreeable, not the water in the four great oceans. What is the reason for this? This wandering in the round of rebirths, monks, is without discernible beginning etc. This is enough, monks, to become disenchanted with all activities, enough to become dispassionate, enough to become liberated." The third.